SPBD Helps Women Entrepreneur Succeed in Business

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) provides critical financing to underprivileged women in the South Pacific so they can run sustainable micro-businesses to support themselves and their families.

Every year, SPBD recognises women in Fiji for their outstanding work as business owners.

For some of those rewarded at the Businesswoman of the Year Awards recently, SPBD offered an opportunity to change their financial circumstances and help them during difficult seasons.

Kartika Raman was one of them. The 42-year-old runs a food catering service and sells seafood, including sliced fish, prawns, and crabs.

Representing Valelevu Sisters In Action Centre, Suva Branch, Ms Raman was awarded the Best Saver of the Year Award for the second consecutive time. She was also a finalist for the Businesswoman of the Year accolade.

She says the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic urged her to save so she has a buffer to keep her going financially.

SPBD loans also helped her sustain and grow her businesses.

"Being a member of SPBD for eight years has helped me so much," Ms Raman said.

"Within a year, she managed to pay off her $9,000 loan," she said.

After being laid off during the pandemic, the new Centre Secretary of the Year Award winner Mereseini Vakatalai joined her local SPBD centre in Tacirua and secured a loan.

"I decided to give it a go," she said.

"I am grateful to SPBD for providing loans to support my retail and pastry business at home."

She expects to pay off her third SPBD loan in full by November this year.

The micro-entrepreneur from Doi, Ono I Lau, was appointed Centre Secretary at the beginning of the year.

In this role, Ms Vakatalai maintains records of weekly meetings and collections of loan repayments from members; and organises centre fundraising. SPBD Fiji director Lorraine Seeto says she is inspired by positive stories about local communities changed for the better by SPBD's work.

"SPBD is in the business of assisting families to grow their enterprises, provide education, and improve their quality of life. It's good to see the impact," she said.

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